Thursday, December 28, 2006

I was asked to contribute to the Dave Cockrum Tribute that's going into another printing with more pages and in hardcover. The only parameters were the character would have to be one of Dave's creations. My initial thought was Storm with a crazy mohawk but I went back & forth with some other ideas but kept thinking about a Storm piece. So when I sat down to do it I messed around and messed around and was not happy so I scrapped everything and started in on a Storm piece. It took several tries (I've never drawn her before) but when this one started taking shape (the shape that had been in my head the whole time) I ripped thru it and was verry happy. So I sent it off and got the nod and here it is. The piece will be sold and all proceeds to go to Dave's wife Paty. I felt honored to be involved and I hope Dave would have been proud. Read more details about the book and how to order one here. I'll have 11"x14" signed prints, on nice strathmore bristol, available for $25 each, all proceeds (minus shipping) will also be donated so email me if interested at tombofdracula@yahoo.com

Monday, December 25, 2006

Sunday, December 24, 2006

I worked on these pieces several months ago & just recieved an email with these pics attached of the frame job. I think they look great, well done. I also think the fun credit/info plate is a great touch & makes an awesome presentation.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Friday, December 15, 2006

Dave Cockrum, the best friend that Aardwolf ever had, has passed away at the young age of 63. We already miss him deeply. Aardwolf previously announced a special reprint of The Uncanny Dave Cockrum Tribute in hardcover, but over the past six months we’ve worked with Dave to complete the project. Edited by Clifford Meth, this beautifully bound new book will contains over 20 pages of new, original Cockrum artwork as well as art contributions from Dave’s many peers, including Neal Adams, George Perez, Walt Simonson, John Romita, Marie Severin, Joe Kubert, Will Eisner, Travest Charest, Joe Quesada, Jim Lee, Dave Gibbons, and many more; written tributes to Dave by Stan Lee, Roy Thomas, Neil Gaiman, Alan Moore, Harlan Ellison, Marv Wolfman, Len Wein, Chris Claremont, and Peter David. 200 Special Editions will include unique, ORIGINAL Dave Cockrum drawings bound into the book. This book is being published in cooperation with the Dave Cockrum Estate. Order yours now.

"Good morning Dave, Sorry I didn't get back to you last night, we had to go to Seattle for the night to see a specialist concerning my wifes pregnancy. Its cool though. But before we left yesterday, the fedex truck pulled up while we were getting ready to leave. Actually caught us in our driveway. I looked at my watch and we had plenty of time so we went back into the house and I started carefully cutting up the box. Seriously, I was so nervous I think it took 6 or 7 minutes for me to surgically cut all the tape. Didn't want to touch the art. Thanks for the bomb proof packing job! Then I was greeted to the coolest cardboard sketch of Iron Man on the box (which I'm keeping as well) and opened it up. My wife could see I went from a 36 year old man to a ten year old reading his first comic book again. My mouth was slightly agape and then it just turned into a shit eating grin (if there is such a thing) for the next ten minutes as I just stared at your colors. I'm not making this up to be dramatic at all man, this thing is awesome for lack of a better adjective. My wife was actually in amazement as well but she seemed more impressed with the size as to the art. I think she was expecting something actually comic book sized. I think not. Genes pencils are of course incredible as well but I kept going back to your colors. Man, this is my first work of art in any medium and it is stunning and gorgeous. I hated putting it back into the box so we could run out. I am going back to Seattle in a few days to take it to a high end art gallery to have it professional framed. Take care Dave, and thank you for the Christmas card. Is that your artwork by the way?

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Just finished this one, came out cool. Just in time, it's a holiday gift for someone. (Here's a better scan.)

"This is going to be the perfect housewarming/X-mas gift for my friends. Thanks again Dave!, Adam"

Next one is a watercolored garden illo, another gift so i'll grab a coffee and another pack of cigs and get cranking.

Just heard from my buddy Jason, who just got back home to Australia after a few years living in Florida. He's got another page of McBlack done and ready to ink and plans on pencilling some more.

Finished my Christmas shopping yesterday, it's been fucking killing me but it's done & done. I better get some good shit this year.

Last thing. I got a great email from my buddy Charlie, who commissioned the inking & coloring of the Colan Iron Man #1 recreation and it was incredible. He got the pieces yesterday and was blown away. I'll post that later or tomorrow.

Sunday, December 10, 2006

Busy finishing off this Iron Man #1 piece (and a few others). I'm about 90% done withe the coloring. Just a few more little touches and this will be ready to ship. Lots of commissions behind it. People anxious to get their gifts in time for the holidays. I'll post the in progress color pic next. It's a huge peice measuring 19"x24"

On deck are 2 inking commissions, a Black Widow and a Dracula vs. The Shadow. After that are 2 more commissions. A watercolor garden illustration & a Delirium. I've got the ideas in my head, just have to get them out and on paper. Looking fwd to it.

I was sad to hear the news yesterday that Dave Cockrum had passed away. I never met the man but he was a great artist and will surely be missed. Another hero gone but not forgotten. May he rest in peace. http://tinyurl.com/yb3pt3

Sunday, November 12, 2006

Just heard the news that Gene will be appearing at WonderCon San Francisco 2007. Can't wait to visit with Gene and Adrienne. They will finally be able to come and meet the dogs! We hope to take them a few places and just have a grand time. I'll be in NY the week before at the NYCon with G&A but them coming here will be surreal!

Thursday, November 09, 2006

"Gene & Dave, Attached is a picture of how I am displaying your DareDevil artwork that you have drawn and inked for me. Thank you again. As you can hopefully tell, it is prominently displayed in my home."Michael

This is was started it all, and this is what the new owner of these commissions had to say.

"NEUTRO is possibly the worst mass-produced comic ever. It only lasted one issue in the 60s. That's pretty rare. But I have grown to love this book and its beautiful flaws. I've got a couple sketchbooks filled with NEUTRO art, both proud and silly. I found NEUTRO at a convention in Des Moines, IA many years ago. We had a table next to the SPAWN funnycar (remember when that was making the rounds?) and the McFarlane folks were playing a tape loop about their KISS dolls all day long. We thought we were going insane. So, we ended up hitting the dime boxes and lo and behold there was NEUTRO. NEUTRO saved my sanity that day, I think. So I've been going around giving away copies of NEUTRO to artists and having them do their interpretation. I think I singlehandedly drove the Overstreet price for NEUTRO over $100 in Near Mint. Ah well. I prefer my copies beat up anyways."

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

OK, I recieved the first two pages of the Captain America book from Gene Colan yesterday & WOW! Only two pages and we already have Cap, Iron Man, Thor, Giant-Man, Nick Fury & Bucky (yes Bucky). I've got coffee a new brush all set up, six new bottles of ink, two packs of cigs & I'm ready to get rolling. After almost a year of getting this together I finally have pages. Plus 20 pgs for the children's book and 90+ pgs to color (aside from the 38 Cap pgs to color). Check back from time to time and I'll have a few sneek peeks for ya as I move along!

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Monday, November 06, 2006

I did this Sandman sketch for a friend of mine a few weeks ago & sent it off with a few other things just as a fun suprise for 'em. I didnt get a chance to scan any of them but he sent this along after he recieved the package. It's just a quick little brush & ink sketch but fun nonetheless. I thought he would enjoy them & he did.

Thursday, November 02, 2006

What a marathon. First the Lone Ranger than this Vampirella. This was the one out of the latest batch of commissions I recieved from Gene that I was most excited about inking. There were 3 great ones and when I got the "go ahead" I couldn't wait so I jumped right in. I was nice and warmed up, having just finished the Lone Ranger, so off I went. I got the green light to add the grey tone wash & I think it brought this particular piece to the next level. Now I have to change gears and get cracking on a website that's long overdue.

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

I had heard about it on TV and a friend just sent me an email about the best/worst towns in America so this was my reply to him. Crazy!

Well i lived in St Louis for a while so i guess i'm movin' on up huh? and i grew up drinking beer behind the shop-rite in brick plaza.

It's weird, i always avoided brick when i was in NJ. well, later on anyway. i literally drove around it to get where i was going. hmmmm? BUT the absolute best chicken wing place is in brick so i go there whenever i'm back in ole joisey.

The band's home base was in brick at George the bass players house. god i cringe thinking about it all now. (i've got douche chills) He passed away a few years ago. poor bastard.

Then I did a google search for "Brick Plaza" and found this:

Just as I remembered it, all grey & depressing. Then I also found this picture. I passed this thing 1000 times driving through Bayville. Now I know a little about it.

Captain America 2007 by Gene Colan. WOW! Gentleman Gene comes home again to the red, white & blue & I have to ink and color it.

Talk about a challenge. Gene just blows me away when I think he's 80 years old this year and still has the enthusiasm & drive most 30-somethings lack today. He has nothing to prove but still attacks each and every job with total commitment and fearless energy, willing, almost obliged, to bend reality to his will. Armed with only a pencil and a blank piece of paper.

It's simply incredible to me so I will be anxiously awaiting the first few pages to arrive. My usual routine is to just take the page(s) in and get an idea of what's going on, where's the lighting coming from and what's happening in general. The faces & expressions are the most important so I do those last after i've warmed up and have the brush cooperating.

Inking Gene in general is always a challenge, mostly because I want him to be happy with the outcome and maybe more importantly I want his stuff to look the best it can. I think he's doing the best work of his entire life and I really want everyone to know it. I'm not sure many inkers would say it but it's a hell of a lot of fun too. I get excited every time a package arrives to open it up and see what I'm up against so these Cap pages will be no exception. It's an honor and a pleasure to have the the opprotunity to be working with Gene and also to have his blessing and endorsement. I can honestly say the he and his wife Adrienne are my biggest fans and I'm very proud to call them friends. This is going to be a fun ride, what else can one expect when The Dean is at the wheel? Buckle Up!

This is a reply to the blog post by Gene below.

I find it a huge challenge each and every time I approach a new comic story, no matter how large or small. I'm at my desk, ruling up the first page of Captain America. I write cap. america in the upperhandcorner and then write 'page one'. I don't do any preliminary sketches. I work panel to panel. I steel myself to get into the story and familiarizing myself with the first several pages. I don't tread the entire plot because I would get too preoccupied with how I'm going to tackle some of the more difficult panels. It takes about four to five pages for me to get warmed up enough to get comfortable with what I'm doing. I've been thinking about the first page for about a week now. I basically know what I'm going to draw in the first panel. Nick Fury is facing a wall of monitor screens. The monitors reveal Cap and other well known superheroes fighting. my pencil will begin with Nick Fury. That way I can work in all the monitors around him. More to come...I'll post some visuals as I move along. Best! Gene

Sunday, October 29, 2006

Started this last week & shuffled back & forth between stages with this & that. As always the colors are pretty colose. I messed with some settings to try and get them as close as possible but it never really is exact, oh well. I'm very happy with it as a whole. It was a challenge but I jumped right in after 2 quick marker guides. The lighting came out as I had imagined it. Getting the idea out of my brain & onto the paper is always what I strive for.

Friday, October 27, 2006

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Finished inking & coloring this one today. Tried a photo look for the background. Came out cool. It was sparse to begin with so it needed that little extra kick for the background. Don't think you can go wrong with a NY skyline either, plus it's easy. Done & Done!

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Eh, I'm just fooling around with some cat drawings. Just gearing up, looking for a "look". Happy with these. Just searching for something. Will need a cat for something coming up. eh. I need a fish too.

I was just reading my friend's web journal & I'm feeling blessed that I dont have to brave the real world. It sounds tough out there. I can barely go to the supermarket w/o wanting to run out screaming let alone show up to a 925. Christ! It's BAD out there.

I'm enjoying a 6 pack of Wicked Ale after going thru a few 6-packs of Pumpkin Ale. I want to sleep but it's early.

I should be coloring but I'm not, I'm thinking of cats.

I just got a bunch of books in the mail. Good timing. I've had nothing but old MAD & Cracked to read for the last few days. Seperate Reality, Frog Pajamas, Fierce Invalids, American Gods & Stardust.

Monday, October 23, 2006

We just watched this sick movie yesterday. My mother-in-law had called and said she had started watching it and it was too sick so she could'nt get thru it, Nuff Said! We went out and bought it for $2 at Hollywood Video. The dog "Lucky" is great. It's disturbing, I guess, but funny. Certainly worth the $2.

Television writer Steve Cuden makes his directorial debut with the creepy independent horror film Lucky. The story is about the miserable life of loner Millard Mudd (Michael Emanuel), a drunk cartoonist with writer's block. While out to get more beer, he accidentally runs over a dog. He takes the dog home and calls him Lucky, convinced that he's not really dead. Eventually the dog starts talking (voice of David Reivers) and Millard starts writing again. Pretty soon Lucky is telling him what to write and what to do, eventually turning his master into a homicidal maniac.

Sunday, October 22, 2006

Started inking this last week then jumped off to finish somethingelse. Jumped back into it today & will finish inking it today. Then onto color tomorrow. As you can see Drac is overseeing the whole project. You can see the pencils here:

Saturday, October 21, 2006

Just finished hand coloring this one. I've been chipping away slowly at it for the last week or so but completed it last night and was very pleased with the outcome. The colors are pretty close, maybe a bit more vibrant in person. When the fellow who commissioned me to ink & color it recieves it I'll post his comments.

I just finished reading "The Eagle's Gift" by Carlos Castaneda. This is probably the 4th or 5th time I've read it. These are just such an excellent series of books & I've started "Journey to Ixtlan. This is a passage from it.

"Little by little you must create a fog around yourself; you must erase everything around you until nothing can be taken for granted, until nothing is any longer for sure, or real. Your problem now is that you're too real. Your endeavors are too real; your moods are too real. Don't take things so for granted You must begin to erase yourself."

Which reminded me of this newspaper clipping from The NY Times that I found 20 years ago stuck inside an old record sleeve.

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Here's the Sandman promo poster we scored at Hayward-Con. It's 17"x22" and has great Dave McKean art. I hope to get these signed and hopefully sketched on by Gaiman & McKean. Maybe in San Diego next year? I see the Absolute Sandman books are going for about 50 or 60 bucks, gotta score me one of those also. 600 pgs, oversized and recolored.

And I scored 3 of these off eBay. They are just perfect for getting a sketch on. 8.5"x11"

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

On Saturday we went to the comic-con and while looking through a stack of original art by comic great Ernie Chan we spotted a wonderful Wonder Woman. I did'nt have enough cash left by this time so Ernie was cool enough to offer to hold it for me and I would Paypal him the nezt day and he could mail it to us. Cool! So we went home and I emailed him to get his Paypal info and proceeded to pay him. In the email I thanked Ernie for everything and being that he lives only onetown away I asked if it would be alright to swing by and pick up the art. To my suprise, not 2 minutes after I sent off the email, he called and invited us to come by, no problem.

So we set it up for Sunday afternoon and it literally took us 15 minutes to get there. Ernie proceeded to give us a tour of his beautiful orchard with all the grapes, figs, guavas & plums you could ever want. The next harvest, he said, would be in December and invited us back. We spent the next hour or so checking out the latest work he's been doing and I had brought along some of my stuff also for him to check out. Pretty cool day!

What a kind & hospitable fellow he is and a comic great ta boot! Conan was my absolute favorite for years and there's only a few people who you instantly associate with it, John Busema & Ernie Chan. We had an excellent time & look forward to visiting with him again.

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

The first time I played CBGB's was in 1984. I was singing in a death metal band and the last time was 2004 playing punk/hardcore guitar. I remember flying in from CA to play 4 shows with Discharge (NY, NJ, Boston &Philly) I brought nothing w/ me and all I wanted was to get back. I broke a string in the first song and had to borrow a guitar from someone, our bass player had just been in an accident and had been thrown thru the windshild, he was wearing a stupid bandage around his head like in a cartoon and had a concussion, so everything was like it had always been playing at CBGB's, an organized mess. It was strange being there the last few times. There was no smoking which was VERY strange. There were rumblings at first of it being closed down, then talk about moving it to Vegas but it all seemed unreal, i guess i had seperated myself and thought it didn't matter very much either way but when our friend sent this picture this morning it really hit me and brought back a flood of memories and nostalgia. Mixed emotions really. Just going into the city in those days, the lower east side, the bowery, getting arrested, the cops, the beers, drugs, the music, the "scene", friends (lots of em gone now), driving uptown, harlem, seeing someone get shot (twice), muggings,beatings, lots of nonsense, which all seems meaningless now all these years later. The good times take a front seat today. The excitement, the "ignorance is bliss" of youth, the harmless partying, the friends & fans, the incredible sense of meaning in a meaningless era of Reaganomics, fighting for an unknown cause (but really just looking for an excuse to party), all the greatest bands of those days came thru CB's, The Bad Brains, Circle Jerks, AgnosticFront, COC, DRI, Mental Abuse, AOD, wayyyy too many to recall them all, all the ridiculous circumstances we all put ourselves in that make me cringe today. So it really does mean something, what? not sure but not nothing, ha!

I remember vividly the last time I was there, I had to go grab my amp head from about 2 blocks away. I had probably 10 too many drinks and seemed to have gotten lost on my way back (maybe more than 10?) so I ask a few people on the street "hey *hic* where's CBGB's?"until one decent guy proceeds to tell me "right there you idiot!"and points directly across the street. I had been standing right in front of it on the other side of the street the whole time. StupidA$$! But in my defense the whole block was under construction with scaffolding covering much of it but I know, I know, I'm still an idiot for getting lost right across the street from the club.

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About Me

I've been running Abstract Reality Studios for 16 years now and drawing all my life. I've been busy as hell these days so no complaints. I just wanted a place where I could scream and laugh at all the devils in my life, otherwise I'll be posting drawings, commissions and other artwork as I finish (and other stupid crap!). I'm laughing & screaming RIGHT NOW!
Always looking for fun & interesting ideas for commissions so email me for a quote at tombofdracula@yahoo.com